Seeking Life

Jesus says in John 10:10 that "the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy but I come to bring you life and life to the full." What Jesus offers is life and while we are at it he offers life to the full...full and over flowing...rich...amazing, etc. Why then do so many experience something much less? I have heard many, many thoughts on this question...it is because of sin, get your life cleaned up and you will experience life the way Jesus intended. Another one I have heard is...everyone has access to the same gospel they just chose not to apply it. Or how about the one that says all that person needs is to go to church or join a small group, etc and then they will experience the life Jesus offers. None of these responses are wrong necessarily but they all fall woefully short of the real issue.

Jesus said that we have a thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy...but most people live their lives as if they do not believe the part about the thief. Of course Jesus offers life to the full but we are going to have to fight for it. I spent the first 25 years of the 30 years I have followed Christ having a theology that included the enemy...I knew the verses and I would sometimes take notice when things really got bad but I did not live like I had an enemy that daily sought to kill, steal and destroy my joy (the full life). Like the majority of men I meet with when something would happen I would immediately think that I was blowing it (this was the major theme of my wounded life) or that God was holding out on me (the Santa is coming to town theology...he sees you when your sleeping he knows when you're awake he knows when you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake). Oh how the enemy has duped the church today..."I'm not here this is just you" is heard and lived out daily. I know some that will not watch movies like the Lord of the Rings, the Matrix, etc because they seem too dark. The reason those movies seem dark is because they tell the story that God is telling..."I sent my son behind enemy lines to heal the broken hearted and to set the captives free (Luke 4:18-19) and there is an enemy that is ticked off and will do anything he can to stop Gods children from living in freedom, joy and light".

Here is an interesting thought...everyone one of us, Christian or non-Christian, is seeking the life that Jesus promised. John 1:4 tells us that "in Him was life and that life was the light of men" We are all seeking life and the unhealed or wounded life will seek life from a counterfeit every time. Sexual addictions, drug addictions, addictions to attention, food, work, sports, reality tv and addictions of every kind are a desperate attempt to find the life that we want so badly. Without the healing of our wounded and broken hearts we will stay in captivity and continue to scratch and claw for something that remotely resembles life.

True Pursuit was born out of a desire and passion to help men discover life...the life that Jesus offers...the life that they were created to live...the life that has eluded them for most of their lives and that is what God is doing through this ministry. Whether it is one-on-one, small groups, Wild at Heart DVD series or speaking opportunities, etc God is using me to help men discover what is true about their hearts and to seek the healing that needs to take place. Recently I have had the opportunity to pray with a number of men in what I would call "listening / healing" prayers and it has been incredible to witness the breakthrough and restoration. In the movie "The Legand of Bagger Vance" Will Smith (Bagger Vance) plays a mystical golf caddy that is sort of like the Holy Spirit in the life of Rannulph Junuh a down and out golfer that has been wounded by the loss of all of his men on a mission during WWI. BVagger comes into Junuh's life to help him get his "original swing" back to rediscover what he was put here to do. I think that is a good representation of what I am doing in the lives of the men God has led me to.

I am serious when I say that I could not do what I do without the prayer support and financial support that you all give to me. I can't even come close to putting into words what God is doing in me and through me but I so desperately want you to know that it is working and I am grateful.

We had our annual True Pursuit board meeting this past weekend and it was a great time of celebrating and planning. The Rear Guard (board of directors) will be contacting many of you this coming year in an effort to communicate what God is doing as well as how you might be able to help us reach more men. Look for the addition of "online giving" on our web site within the next few months as well as some new materials that better communicate our mission.

Here are a few things that we would appreciate your prayers for:

1) I will be speaking at a men's retreat this March 23-25 and would really appreciate your coverage.

2) I am planning on attending a Wild at Heart type boot camp in Jasper, GA and am trying to recruit a few men to go with me...pray for interest and safe travel.

3) For God's continued blessing on our Thursday night Wild at Heart video series that lasts for at least another 4-5 weeks.

4) For all of the planning for our son Matthew's wedding on June 30th.

5) That I will be attentive to where God wants me to go and what he wants me to do.

Thank you so much for your continued support. Please rejoice with us in what we see God doing and do keep us in your prayers.

For the King and His Kingdom,

Pete

PS, Sorry this is so long...I guess I got on a role